Abhisit declares he will not go to his polling station to vote on Sunday

[webfact]

Abhisit declares election boycott
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Saturday declared that he will not go to his polling station to vote on Sunday.

"Tomorrow, I won't go to exercise my voting right because this election is not unconstitutional and it will not achieve a goal of an election under the democratic system," Abhisit posted on his Facebook wall.

He said he would not inform the Election Commission of his reason why he would not vote because his reason did not fit into reasons announced by the EC that voters can cite for skipping an election.


-- The Nation 2014-02-01

[londonthai]

so he, and other politicians who choose boycott, will lose their political right to contest in the next election. Good riddance to them, loosers

Edited February 1, 2014 by londonthai

[Sunderland]

Whilst it could yet bite him in the bum if the election proceeds and some time down the line all the results can be counted for the entire country, I think he already has a good idea that there is no hope in hell for this election to be validated further down the line. Therefore, he is confident that his opportunity to run in a future election will not be affected.

Personally, I don't care whether he votes or not. I prefer that Sunderland beat Newcastle tonight and that will probably ruin his weekend more.

[khwaibah]

"Tomorrow, I won't go to exercise my voting right because this election is not unconstitutional"

"NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL"

[Thailand]

Absolute disgrace for the leader of the wrongly called Dems!

[airconsult]

"Tomorrow, I won't go to exercise my voting right because this election is not unconstitutional"

"NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL"

Well spotted! Freudian slip perhaps?

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[Mackie]

"Tomorrow, I won't go to exercise my voting right because this election is not unconstitutional"

"NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL"

And some accuse the Nation of being the opposition newspaper. Silly. Or could it be the red mole who misquoted him on purpose?

That's not what he said. He said:

Democrat Party leader Abhisit says in his personal Facebook page that he will not vote tomorrow as election is held unconstitutionally

http://www.mcot.net/site/content?id=52ec7749be04700ca88b45d4#.Uux7dljNvIU

Edited February 1, 2014 by Mackie

[Soutpeel]

"Tomorrow, I won't go to exercise my voting right because this election is not unconstitutional"

"NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL"

English translation from a Thai interview that's all

[MMarlow]

"Tomorrow, I won't go to exercise my voting right because this election is not unconstitutional"

"NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL"

Well spotted! Freudian slip perhaps?

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

More likely an error in translation.

[BlueNoseCodger]

If the EC fails to organize polls and run elections, then they should be sued as individuals and their money used to cover the cost of the failed elections.

EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said:

'The elections will not take place unless both parties and other stakeholders hold talks and reach an agreement. The EC is ready to act as a go-between.'

'After the registration of constituency candidates ends on Jan 1, the EC will hold a meeting on Jan 2 and make a decision,'

'Some people may say we are crossing the line. In some cases we might overstep our authority. But if that can resolve the situation, we have to do it,'

'And if the public thinks that we have crossed the line, we will take responsibility.'

When he admitted they might overstep their authority, it makes them personally liable for any failed elections. So if the EC wants to run this as a failed election outside it's legal bounds, then so be it, but they will pay the price personally as individuals.

Abhisit is an idiot, the EC looks like it's trying to void the election so he can stand in the next one, the CC even declared the EC & Government could agree to restart the election process letting him change his mind about standing.

But if he doesn't vote, then he cannot stand next time, so no restart would make any difference. If he remains as the leader of the Democrats, he condemns the party too, so he needs to be replaced if they are to rescue themselves.

Democrat MPs who don't vote, won't be able to stand, and won't have power, even in Democrat strongholds. So they need to consider their futures separate from loser boy.

Edited February 1, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[Red Snake]

He should make a new party called the Undemocratic Party because he doesn't belong to the democratic party.

[WhizBang]

If the EC fails to organize polls and run elections, then they should be sued as individuals and their money used to cover the cost of the failed elections.

EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said:

'The elections will not take place unless both parties and other stakeholders hold talks and reach an agreement. The EC is ready to act as a go-between.'

'After the registration of constituency candidates ends on Jan 1, the EC will hold a meeting on Jan 2 and make a decision,'

'Some people may say we are crossing the line. In some cases we might overstep our authority. But if that can resolve the situation, we have to do it,'

'And if the public thinks that we have crossed the line, we will take responsibility.'

When he admitted they might overstep their authority, it makes them personally liable for any failed elections. So if the EC wants to run this as a failed election outside it's legal bounds, then so be it, but they will pay the price personally as individuals.

Abhisit is an idiot, the EC looks like it's trying to void the election so he can stand in the next one, the CC even declared the EC & Government could agree to restart the election process letting him change his mind about standing.

But if he doesn't vote, then he cannot stand next time, so no restart would make any difference. If he remains as the leader of the Democrats, he condemns the party too, so he needs to be replaced if they are to rescue themselves.

Democrat MPs who don't vote, won't be able to stand, and won't have power, even in Democrat strongholds. So they need to consider their futures separate from loser boy.

If I recall, it was a meeting between the EC and Yingluck and the PTP very recently, where it was Yingluck and the PTP insisting that the election must proceed. The EC was, in fact, trying to get Yingluck and the PTP to agree to a postponement. However, probably a skype call, killed any chance of that happening.

Edited February 1, 2014 by WhizBang

[Ozymandias]

"Tomorrow, I won't go to exercise my voting right because this election is not unconstitutional"

"NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL"

Heh heh - I hope that's NOT a typo!

[shunima]

He should make a new party called the Undemocratic Party because he doesn't belong to the democratic party.

'Do not argue with the stupid. DO NOT argue with the stupid.'

[Scamper]

Abhisit's stand is in keeping with his beliefs, which should be respected. Everyone in life makes decisions based on how much they are in tune with their inner beliefs. We cannot prejudge someone who decides for themselves what is right. The importance of Abhisit's decision - and indeed for the Democratic party as a whole - is that the decision to vote or not vote tomorrow is one that is left to each individual member of their party, as it is indeed to all of us. This election - if it can be called as such - will be a completely convoluted affair, with eight provinces not participating, fourteen provinces without party-list ballots, as well as many areas that will have no ballots at all. There will be many poling stations that will be closed or undermanned. There will be others that are blocked. There could be potentially explosive encounters between the protesters and the police. We do not know what Chalerm has in mind, though those who are aware of his pattern of behavior are very wary indeed. This poll will be regarded as unconstitutional from the point of view of article 108 alone. It will accomplish nothing for the Yingluck administration other than to convey the rather clear impression that they are no longer in control, and under severe opposition from roughly half the country. Their go-it-alone administration has met its stone wall.

[webfact]

Abhisit says he will not vote tomorrow
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 1 -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would not vote tomorrow, as this general election was held unconstitutionally and it could not answer the objectives of polling under a democratic system.

On his official Facebook page, Mr Abhisit posted a message at around 11am that he would not inform the Election Commission (EC) to offer explanation on why he would not exercise his rights.

The Democrat Party leader said he has to announce his decision in advance because he did not want anyone to cause any trouble at the polling station at Sawasdee Withaya School in Sukhumvit area where he normally casts his ballot.

Mr Abhisit said earlier that Democrat members could make their own decision on whether or not to go out and vote in Sunday's general election.

The anti government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has called for reform before the election.

Mr Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary general of PDRC was marching around Bangkok with supporters, encouraging eligible voters to shun the general election tomorrow. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-02-01

[AleG]

so he, and other politicians who choose boycott, will lose their political right to contest in the next election. Good riddance to them, loosers

Yes, what a loser, standing by his moral convictions even when doing so will cause damage to himself.

Everyone knows winners are unburdened by such things as "morals" and "ethics".

[Thait Spot]

so he, and other politicians who choose boycott, will lose their political right to contest in the next election. Good riddance to them, loosers

He's a man with conviction.

As opposed to Thaksin who is a man with convictions.

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[whybother]

"Tomorrow, I won't go to exercise my voting right because this election is not unconstitutional"

"NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL"

Well spotted! Freudian slip perhaps?

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Bad translation by the journalist, I suspect.

Sent from my phone ...

[kurtgruen]

If nothing else, I love it how some Thai people can demonstrate for many months, peacefully. I also have a lot of respect for the leaders of the demonstrations, who put their lives at risk every day. Mr. Abhisit made his choice and will live with the consequences, just like everyone else, on both sides.

At least he is not a sheep!

[lungmi]

"Tomorrow, I won't go to exercise my voting right because this election is not unconstitutional"

"NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL"

Well spotted! Freudian slip perhaps?

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

No. A doubled No means in normal logic yes.

In high level English a doubled No means a very strong No.

[Finkelstein]

The democratically thinking Taona Sonakul, has put a price of 40,000 THB on his head - so I do understand if he say he will stay out not to create chaotic scenes... For his own safety that seems to be a wise choice...

[airconsult]

"Tomorrow, I won't go to exercise my voting right because this election is not unconstitutional"

"NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL"

Well spotted! Freudian slip perhaps?

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

No. A doubled No means in normal logic yes.

In high level English a doubled No means a very strong No.

I think we can be sure it was translation error.

But... I dispute your language definition. A double negative always means a positive - it is very, very poor English-speaking to use a double negative at all.

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[blackman]

"Tomorrow, I won't go to exercise my voting right because this election is not unconstitutional"

"NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL"

Well spotted! Freudian slip perhaps?

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

No. A doubled No means in normal logic yes.

In high level English a doubled No means a very strong No.

Ching Ching mak mak

[metisdead]

Nonsense grammar police posts and replies have been removed. Inflammatory posts removed as well.

[55Jay]

Abe says this poll is unconstitutional. Is it? I thought this was correct procedure given the circumstances.

Sure, he also says it is not objective, which goes along with the purpose for the protest, and that's fine. But unconstitutional?

[chainarong]

Sunderland, on 01 Feb 2014 - 12:34, said:

Whilst it could yet bite him in the bum if the election proceeds and some time down the line all the results can be counted for the entire country, I think he already has a good idea that there is no hope in hell for this election to be validated further down the line. Therefore, he is confident that his opportunity to run in a future election will not be affected.

Personally, I don't care whether he votes or not. I prefer that Sunderland beat Newcastle tonight and that will probably ruin his weekend more.

Except for the mention of that girls game , Give me AFL any-day, I think you maybe right

[ShannonT]

Abhisit is such a hypocrit.

He says its unconstitutional but he supports a "people's council" with members chosen by Suthep and which excludes members of Puea Thai and allied parties, which is the party that received the most votes in the last election. In other words, the majority of Thais will be stripped of their voice in the future of Thailand.

How constitutional is that?

[moonao]

Abhisit is a stubborn impotent idiot. Why he is still in politics is beyond me. He should have quit years ago.

[casualbiker]

Abhisit is such a hypocrit.

He says its unconstitutional but he supports a "people's council" with members chosen by Suthep and which excludes members of Puea Thai and allied parties, which is the party that received the most votes in the last election. In other words, the majority of Thais will be stripped of their voice in the future of Thailand.

How constitutional is that?

Just asking, When have actually said it would exclude Phuathai or Coalition members?

I do know they said NO Shinawatras.